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Health and Happiness in the New Urban Agenda: The Central Role of Public Space

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  • Michael W. Mehaffy

    (Centre for the Future of Places, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

The New Urban Agenda—the global urbanization framework agreement adopted by acclamation by all 193 countries of the United Nations—contains no fewer than eight paragraphs on the importance of public space, three of which outline its role in achieving “human health and well-being”, “attractive and liveable cities”, and “physical and mental health”. However, there is an urgent need to translate these and other quality of life aspirations contained in this landmark document into measurable targets, tools, and strategies to achieve outcomes. This paper examines the core theories that connect health and well-being to public space as reflected in the document, surveying some of the most relevant research in the field. It then analyzes the document text to identify a number of potentially useful indicators. Finally, it proposes a framework for data gathering, assessment, and iterative progress in achieving the stated goals, concluding with an overview of emerging research and practice, and proposed next steps.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael W. Mehaffy, 2021. "Health and Happiness in the New Urban Agenda: The Central Role of Public Space," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5891-:d:560885
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jurian Edelenbos & Fadi Hirzalla & Liesbet Zoonen & Jan Dalen & Geiske Bouma & Adriaan Slob & Alexander Woestenburg, 2018. "Governing the Complexity of Smart Data Cities: Setting a Research Agenda," Public Administration and Information Technology, in: Manuel Pedro Rodríguez Bolívar (ed.), Smart Technologies for Smart Governments, pages 35-54, Springer.
    2. Daniel Kahneman & Alan B. Krueger & David Schkade & Norbert Schwarz & Arthur Stone, 2004. "Toward National Well-Being Accounts," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(2), pages 429-434, May.
    3. Michael W. Mehaffy & Tigran Haas & Peter Elmlund, 2019. "Public Space in the New Urban Agenda: Research into Implementation," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(2), pages 134-137.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marwan Elmubarak & Naeema AlHosani & Mohamed Yagoub & Amar Khamis, 2023. "The Effects of Objective and Perceived Neighborhood Amenities on Youths’ Wellbeing: The Case of the City of Al Ain, UAE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Marina Toger & Karima Kourtit & Peter Nijkamp, 2021. "From the Guest Editors: Happy and Healthy Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-4, November.
    3. Na Luo & Rahinah Ibrahim & Sazrinee Zainal Abidin, 2022. "Transformation of Children’s Paintings into Public Art to Improve Public Spaces and Enhance People’s Happiness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-23, December.

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